Sunday, December 30, 2007

We recently found out that Lisa is pregnant. We are so excited! We have been trying for several months, and feel very blessed and very relieved that we are going to have another baby. Lisa is due late August. She isn't sick at all yet, although Cody will attest that she's been grumpier than normal and a little tired. We will keep you all posted throughout the pregnancy with milestones and thoughts.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas, everyone. We are happy at this season to be with family celebrating our Redeemer's birth. We proclaim solemnly and powerfully that Jesus of Nazareth was truly born of a Virgin, highly esteemed of women. He was born humbly in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. He was raised by Mary and Joseph, both of the line of David. He fulfilled his divine role as Savior of the World 33 years after that quiet birth, when he knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane and took upon him the pains and afflictions of all mankind. That great act--the Atonement of Jesus Christ--is pivotal in our family's every day actions. We base our lives around it. We are faithful believers of Jesus Christ, who was born, lived, died, and then was resurrected to be our King of Kings, Lord of Lords, our Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace.

May you all find peace and joy in Christ, the Light of the World on this night and all nights. We love you and are grateful for the love and hope you bring into our lives. And so, we say to you all: "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

Thursday, December 20, 2007

December 18-19 we went to Riverton to visit Cody's family, and took the evening of the 19th to visit downtown Salt Lake. It was beautiful weather. We took Mom and Dad Sheffer out to P.F. Chang's for dinner. We had planned it in our budget to splurge on dinner, and were very excited about it. When Mom and Dad came into the restaurant, they handed us a gift card they'd just barely found on the ground next to where they had parked. It had $50 on it! We were stunned. Of course we used it happily, feeling sorry for whoever had lost it. I told Mom Sheffer that I'll probably tell that story to my great-grandkids.

The lights at Temple square were gorgeous and we had a great time. And, today (December 20) it finally started snowing. Great timing!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

So, funny things about seeing Santa with Lee--both last year and this year, after waiting in line and getting ready, my camera has suddenly stopped working right at the time I'm trying to take the big picture. Last year I had it on the wrong setting, so all my pictures were blurry. This year, the battery was trying to die AND it was on the wrong setting. Also this year, very few parents decided to stand in line with their children, so the children got to pick where the line was, which ended up being to about 1 inch away from Santa's chair, making it really hard to get a good picture. Oh well, the season isn't about getting an award-winning picture with Santa, right? :) I hope you enjoy the picture anyway.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Monday, November 26, 2007

The turkey was FANTASTIC! Honestly, it was the best turkey I think I've ever eaten. Paul cut his with a fork and could see the yummy juices running out. It had a 1/2 inch thick smoke line. The rest of the meal was wonderful too.

Friday, November 23, 2007

We had a wonderful time on Thanksgiving. Grandpa and Grandma F invited us (Lisa's Grandparents), and we joined them and some of their family for T-day. Lisa's sister Sara spent the weekend with us too, having a sleep over. We made pies (pumpkin, pecan, and Lisa's new apple recipe that she just wrote). It was also our job to bring yams and pineapple cheese salad to contribute to the dinner. Thanksgiving day was spent mostly at Grandpa's playing music and visiting. After dinner, we did go over to the other Grandparents' house for a while, and got to visit the newest cousin, born Wednesday. Today (Friday), Sara and I did brave the stores just for a bit to do some grocery shopping. And now, enough talk. Enjoy all the pictures!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Yesterday (11/19/07) was a gorgeous day--record-breaking high of 65 degrees! It was bright and sunny too. With cooler temps on the forecast, we decided it was time to hang our Christmas lights (or, as Lee's Granpda F would say, "Mashed Potato" lights because it's not past Thanksgiving yet). Since we have plastic shingles that are very slippery, Cody rigged up his rock climbing rope to the chimney so that he wouldn't fall off. We're starting to feel festive around here!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Lee is learning to help around the house now. These are pictures of Lee helping daddy do the dishes (mom thinks this is a GREAT thing to learn). He wants to be anywhere there is a job to be done. We have to be inventive and give him a job too, otherwise he finds a job that might be...well, a little on the wild side. After Cody and Lee finished the dishes this day, Lee was soaked with water but still didn't want to get down from his chair. He is really developing a personality and knows exactly what he likes to do. At least that still involves good things!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Monday, November 12, 2007

Lisa helped host a baby shower last week, and it turned into quite an event. She and her sister created seven gourmet appetizers for the dinner--all were Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free for those with Celiac and Gestational diabetes present. The Shower was for 3 pregnant women--2 cousins and 1 sister-in-law. Lisa's cousin made a cake. The foods were (Left side first, back to front in the picture):

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Max was the best Dog a girl could ask for. He was smelly, he was furry, and he drank out of the toilet. He was big and brown and begged for treats, often drooling on your pants. He made me laugh, he made me happy when I was sad, and he was always good for a snuggle.

Here's to Max, and thirteen fabulous years with the greatest ol' pooch around.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Halloween comes but once a year...and ours was a great one! Lee was Cookie Monster, Lisa was a witch, and Cody was "Cedar" Augustus of Rome (he wore a toga and an evergreen crown). We went to the ward party, where Lee was scared to death of the big gorilla--even though it was his Uncle. We did learn one important thing, though: dry ice does NOT last overnight, even tightly wrapped and kept in the freezer. Everyone at the party loved the little Cookie Monster, our pumpkins all won prizes, and we ate too many sweets.